Before you start
Meet auffallen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + fallen
- auf-
- into view or notice
- fallen
- to fall
Something ‘falls into’ your notice, so it becomes hard to miss.
So auffallen means to stand out; to catch someone’s attention.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on fallen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: auf·fallen
In a main clause the prefix auf splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDein neues Fahrrad fällt allen auf.Your new bicycle stands out to everyone.
Subordinate clauseIch glaube, dass ihr Haus sofort auffällt.I think that their house stands out immediately.
Participle: aufgefallenzu-infinitive: aufzufallen
Forms
How auffallen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | falle auf | fiel auf |
| du | fällst auf | fielst auf |
| er/sie/es | fällt auf | fiel auf |
| wir | fallen auf | fielen auf |
| ihr | fallt auf | fielt auf |
| Sie | fallen auf | fielen auf |
Partizip II aufgefallen · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Das rote Kleid fällt sofort auf.The red dress stands out immediately.prefix goes to the end
- 2Mir ist sein neuer Bart aufgefallen.I noticed his new beard.Perfekt with sein
- 3Weil mir der Fehler auffällt, sage ich es dir.Because I notice the mistake, I’m telling you.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auffallen + der neue Mantel
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that it stands out to your sister.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I noticed it immediately.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When we enteredeintreten the roomdas Zimmer, the brighthell picturedas Bild stood out to me.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I noticed that the shopder Laden was closedgeschlossen because nobody went inhineingehen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The womandie Frau who liveswohnen next doornebenan noticed the noiseder Lärm immediately.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The mistakeder Fehler can easilyleicht stand out in this photodas Foto.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The redrot hatder Hut seemsscheinen to stand out in the crowddie Menge.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Did you notice the new cafédas Café?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auffallen + der Fehler + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the simple past for auffallen.
- 3Say that you said nothing.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What is something about your town that visitors notice?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence about your town.
- 2Use a wenn-clause.
- 3Say what stands out to visitors.